How To Build Drum Speed

by Isaac Kuhlman

How To Build Drum Speed

Drum speed is something many drummers want to improve, but getting faster isn't simply about moving your hands harder or practicing at the highest possible tempo.

Real speed comes from control, efficiency, relaxation, and consistent practice.

Whether you're trying to improve your single strokes, double strokes, rolls, fills, or double-bass playing, the same basic principle applies: build clean technique at a slow speed before gradually increasing the tempo.

You don't even need a complete drum set to work on speed. A practice pad, a pair of sticks, and a metronome can provide an excellent environment for developing faster and more controlled movements. For quieter practice, Drumstick Dampeners can also help reduce stick clacking when practicing on suitable surfaces.

Let's look at how to build drum speed without sacrificing control or technique.

What Actually Determines Drum Speed?

Several factors affect how fast you can play.

These include:

  • Technique
  • Relaxation
  • Rebound control
  • Finger control
  • Wrist movement
  • Arm movement
  • Coordination
  • Timing
  • Muscle endurance
  • Practice consistency

Some players assume that speed comes mainly from stronger muscles.

Strength can help, but efficient movement is usually much more important.

If you're using unnecessary force, your muscles can become tired quickly. Efficient technique allows the sticks to move faster while requiring less effort.

Speed Starts With Control

Before trying to increase your tempo, make sure you can play your exercise cleanly.

For example, if you're practicing:

R L R L R L R L

don't increase the tempo if your strokes are becoming uneven.

Instead, stay at a tempo where you can maintain:

  • Consistent volume
  • Even spacing
  • Relaxed hands
  • Controlled movement
  • Accurate timing

Once the pattern feels comfortable, increase the tempo gradually.

Clean first. Fast second.

1. Start With a Slow Tempo

One of the most effective ways to build speed is to start slower than you think you need to.

Set your metronome to a comfortable tempo, such as 60 BPM.

Practice your exercise until it feels controlled.

Then increase the tempo in small steps.

For example:

60 → 65 → 70 → 75 → 80 BPM

If your technique falls apart, return to the previous tempo.

This teaches your hands to perform the movement correctly before asking them to perform it faster.

2. Use a Metronome

A metronome should be part of your speed-training routine.

Without a metronome, you may unknowingly:

  • Speed up
  • Slow down
  • Rush difficult sections
  • Lose the pulse

With a metronome, you have an objective reference.

Try setting it to a tempo where you can play comfortably and gradually increasing it over time.

3. Practice Single Strokes

Single strokes are one of the most important foundations for developing hand speed.

The basic pattern is:

R L R L R L R L

Start slowly.

Make sure both hands are producing similar strokes.

Then gradually increase the tempo.

Don't focus only on your maximum speed.

Practice several ranges:

Slow → Medium → Fast → Medium → Slow

This teaches your hands to control multiple tempos.

4. Practice Double Strokes

Double strokes are another important speed-building technique.

The basic pattern is:

R R L L R R L L

At slower tempos, focus on making both strokes controlled.

As you get faster, allow the stick's natural rebound to help produce the second stroke.

Avoid trying to force every stroke with your wrist.

Efficient double strokes rely on a combination of:

  • Wrist movement
  • Finger control
  • Rebound
  • Relaxation

5. Learn to Use Rebound

Rebound is one of your biggest allies when building drum speed.

When a stick hits a drum or practice pad, it naturally wants to bounce.

Instead of fighting that movement, learn to control it.

Try this:

  1. Hold the stick comfortably.
  2. Make one controlled stroke.
  3. Let the stick rebound.
  4. Maintain control without squeezing too tightly.

The goal is to work with the rebound rather than against it.

6. Relax Your Grip

One of the most common obstacles to faster playing is excessive tension.

If you're squeezing your sticks tightly, your hands and forearms can fatigue quickly.

As you increase the tempo, check:

  • Hands
  • Wrists
  • Forearms
  • Shoulders
  • Neck

If you notice unnecessary tension, slow down and relax.

Your grip should provide control without preventing the stick from moving naturally.

7. Use Smaller Movements

You don't need huge movements to play fast.

As the tempo increases, efficient drummers generally use smaller movements.

Instead of lifting the stick several inches for every note, use controlled movements that are appropriate for the required volume.

This reduces the distance the stick needs to travel.

Less unnecessary movement can make faster playing easier.

8. Practice Finger Control

At higher speeds, your fingers can become increasingly important.

Finger control allows you to manipulate the stick with smaller movements.

Practice slowly first.

Hold the stick comfortably and experiment with controlling its movement using your fingers while keeping your wrist relaxed.

Don't force advanced finger technique immediately.

It should develop gradually as your control improves.

9. Practice Accents

Accents are useful for developing speed because they teach your hands to change between different stroke types.

Try:

R l R l R l R l

Make the uppercase strokes accented.

Then reverse it:

r L r L r L r L

This helps develop control over:

  • Stick height
  • Volume
  • Rebound
  • Hand movement

Eventually, you can incorporate accents into faster rudimental patterns.

10. Practice Paradiddles

Paradiddles are excellent for developing coordination and speed.

The basic pattern is:

R L R R | L R L L

Start slowly.

Then gradually increase the tempo.

Once you're comfortable, practice accenting the first note of each group:

R l r r | L r l l

This gives your hands additional technical challenges.

11. Practice Speed Bursts

One useful approach to speed training is the speed burst.

Instead of trying to play extremely fast for several minutes, play a short burst at a faster tempo.

For example:

4 slow beats → 4 fast notes → return to slow

Or:

8 controlled notes → 8 fast notes

The fast section should remain controlled.

Speed bursts allow your hands to experience a faster movement without requiring you to sustain that tempo for a long time.

12. Use the "Slow-Fast-Slow" Method

Another useful exercise is:

Slow → Fast → Slow

For example:

  • 8 notes slowly
  • 8 notes quickly
  • 8 notes slowly

Repeat.

This helps you feel the difference between controlled movement at different tempos.

It also teaches you how to transition smoothly between speeds.

13. Practice in Short Sessions

Don't spend an hour trying to play at your maximum speed.

Speed work can be physically demanding.

Instead, use shorter focused sessions.

For example:

5 minutes singles

5 minutes doubles

5 minutes rudiments

5 minutes speed bursts

This gives you enough practice without allowing fatigue to dominate your technique.

14. Train Your Weak Hand

Your weaker hand can limit your overall speed.

For example, you may be able to play a single-stroke pattern quickly with your right hand but struggle to maintain the same quality when starting with your left.

Practice:

L R L R L R L R

and:

L L R R L L R R

Give your weaker hand extra attention.

Balanced hands can make your overall playing more efficient.

15. Practice Both Starting Hands

Don't always begin your exercises with your dominant hand.

Practice:

R L R L

and:

L R L R

For paradiddles:

R L R R L R L L

and:

L R L L R L R R

This helps prevent one hand from becoming overly dominant.

16. Improve Your Wrist Technique

Your wrists provide much of the basic movement needed for drumming.

Practice controlled wrist strokes at different tempos.

Start slowly and focus on smooth movement.

Avoid using your entire arm for every stroke unless the musical situation calls for a larger movement.

Efficient wrist technique can help you maintain speed without unnecessary fatigue.

17. Use Your Fingers at Higher Speeds

As you become comfortable with wrist technique, gradually incorporate more finger control.

The fingers can help manage the stick with small, efficient movements.

This is especially useful when playing faster passages.

However, don't think of finger technique as a replacement for everything else.

Good speed technique is often a combination of:

Wrists + Fingers + Rebound + Relaxation

18. Build Foot Speed Gradually

Drum speed isn't only about your hands.

If you play bass drum or double bass, you also need to develop foot control.

Start with simple patterns.

For example:

1 2 3 4

Then:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Focus on consistent spacing.

Don't immediately try to play as fast as possible.

Develop:

  • Accuracy
  • Balance
  • Endurance
  • Relaxation
  • Consistency

19. Practice Kick Doubles

Once single kick strokes are comfortable, practice doubles:

R R | L L

or simply:

1 & | 2 &

depending on the technique you're using.

Keep the movement controlled.

As with your hands, avoid excessive force.

20. Don't Confuse Speed With Strength

Hitting harder doesn't necessarily make you faster.

In fact, excessive force can slow you down because your muscles have to work harder.

Think about:

Efficiency rather than force.

Fast playing should feel controlled rather than like you're fighting the instrument.

21. Practice at Multiple Tempos

Don't only practice at your maximum speed.

Work across several tempos.

For example:

60 BPM

80 BPM

100 BPM

120 BPM

140 BPM

You don't have to reach every tempo immediately.

The important thing is to develop control across a range of speeds.

22. Record Yourself

Recording your practice can reveal problems that aren't obvious while you're playing.

Listen for:

  • Uneven strokes
  • Rushing
  • Inconsistent accents
  • Volume differences
  • Tension
  • Timing problems

You can use a smartphone to make simple recordings.

You don't need professional equipment.

23. Practice With Different Dynamics

Fast playing isn't always loud.

Practice your speed exercises at:

  • Soft volume
  • Medium volume
  • Louder volume

Try playing:

Soft → Medium → Loud → Medium → Soft

while maintaining the same tempo.

This develops dynamic control and makes your technique more versatile.

24. Practice Quietly

Quiet practice can actually be very useful for speed development.

When you play softly, you're forced to pay attention to:

  • Rebound
  • Stick control
  • Grip
  • Timing
  • Efficiency

If you practice in an apartment or shared home, Drumstick Dampeners can help reduce stick clacking when used on suitable surfaces.

Quiet practice can also help you identify unwanted tension because you can focus closely on the movement rather than simply playing loudly.

25. Don't Practice Through Pain

Fatigue is normal.

Pain is different.

If you experience pain while practicing, stop and assess your technique.

Persistent or significant pain should not be ignored.

Good technique should feel controlled and sustainable rather than painful.

How Long Does It Take to Build Drum Speed?

There's no universal timeline.

Your progress depends on:

  • Current skill level
  • Technique
  • Practice consistency
  • Exercise selection
  • Starting tempo
  • Physical conditioning
  • Recovery

Some players may notice improvements quickly, while others need more time.

The important thing is to measure progress over weeks and months rather than expecting major changes overnight.

A 20-Minute Drum Speed Routine

Try this routine several times per week.

3 Minutes — Warm-Up

Play relaxed single strokes at a slow tempo.

4 Minutes — Singles

Gradually increase the tempo while maintaining control.

4 Minutes — Doubles

Practice controlled double strokes.

4 Minutes — Rudiments

Work on paradiddles and accented patterns.

3 Minutes — Speed Bursts

Use short bursts of faster playing.

2 Minutes — Cool Down

Return to slow, relaxed strokes.

A 30-Minute Drum Speed Routine

If you have more time:

Time Exercise
5 minutes Warm-up
5 minutes Single strokes
5 minutes Double strokes
5 minutes Paradiddles and accents
5 minutes Speed bursts
5 minutes Kick or full-kit speed work

Keep the quality of your technique more important than the number on the metronome.

How to Increase Your BPM Safely

A simple approach is:

Step 1

Find the fastest tempo where you can play the exercise cleanly.

Step 2

Practice there until it becomes comfortable.

Step 3

Increase the metronome slightly.

Step 4

If your technique breaks down, reduce the tempo.

Step 5

Repeat consistently over time.

For example:

80 BPM → 85 BPM → 90 BPM → 95 BPM

Small improvements add up.

Why You Shouldn't Always Practice at Your Maximum Speed

Playing at your maximum speed all the time can encourage poor technique.

You may start:

  • Tensing your hands
  • Raising your shoulders
  • Using excessive force
  • Losing timing
  • Producing uneven strokes

Instead, spend most of your practice at tempos where you have control.

Use faster tempos as occasional challenges.

Signs Your Technique Is Holding Back Your Speed

You may need to work on technique rather than simply practicing faster if:

  • Your hands become tense immediately.
  • Your strokes become uneven.
  • One hand falls behind.
  • You lose the metronome.
  • You have to hit harder to go faster.
  • You can only maintain speed for a few seconds.
  • Your movements become very large.

If this happens, slow down.

Find the inefficient movement and correct it before trying to increase the tempo again.

Speed Training for Beginners

If you're a beginner, don't make speed your main goal.

Spend more time developing:

  1. Proper grip
  2. Basic strokes
  3. Rebound control
  4. Timing
  5. Rudiments
  6. Coordination
  7. Relaxation

Once these fundamentals improve, speed becomes much easier to develop.

Speed Training for Intermediate Drummers

Intermediate players can start combining techniques.

Try:

  • Singles
  • Doubles
  • Paradiddles
  • Accents
  • Flams
  • Speed bursts
  • Hand-foot combinations

Experiment with different tempos and subdivisions.

The goal is to make faster playing feel natural rather than forced.

Common Drum Speed Mistakes

Trying to Go Fast Too Soon

Build control before speed.

Gripping Too Tightly

Relax your hands and allow the sticks to rebound.

Hitting Too Hard

Force isn't the same as speed.

Ignoring the Weak Hand

Balance matters.

Skipping the Metronome

Timing must remain consistent.

Practicing Only One Technique

Different exercises develop different aspects of speed.

Ignoring Fatigue

Take breaks when your technique starts deteriorating.

Chasing a BPM Number

Musical speed is useful only when you can actually control it.

Essential Tools for Building Drum Speed

You don't need a complicated setup.

A basic speed-training kit can include:

Drumstick Dampeners can be particularly useful for quieter technique practice when you don't have access to a full drum set.

Drumstick Dampeners

Other Useful Music Maintenance Tools

If you're also a guitarist, keeping your instrument-maintenance tools organized can make your practice routine easier.

The Guitar String Multi-Tool can help make guitar string changes more convenient.

The Guitar String Action Ruler can help you measure string height when checking your guitar's setup.

For guitar practice, a 15ft Guitar Cable can be useful for many home and rehearsal setups.

A 20ft Guitar Cable can provide extra reach when you need more freedom of movement.

Drum Speed Practice Checklist

Use this checklist during your practice sessions:

  • Start slowly
  • Use a metronome
  • Keep your grip relaxed
  • Practice single strokes
  • Practice double strokes
  • Work on paradiddles
  • Practice accents
  • Develop rebound control
  • Use smaller movements
  • Work on finger control
  • Practice your weaker hand
  • Try speed bursts
  • Practice multiple tempos
  • Record yourself
  • Take breaks
  • Stop if you experience pain
  • Increase tempo gradually

Final Thoughts

Learning how to build drum speed isn't about forcing yourself to play faster every day.

The fastest progress usually comes from developing efficient technique, relaxed movement, rebound control, timing, and consistency.

Start with slow, clean strokes. Use a metronome and gradually increase your tempo. Practice singles, doubles, paradiddles, accents, and speed bursts. Pay attention to your weaker hand and learn to use smaller, more efficient movements as you get faster.

Don't underestimate quiet practice, either. Drumstick Dampeners can provide a convenient way to reduce stick clacking when practicing on suitable surfaces, allowing you to work on your technique without needing a full-volume drum kit.

Most importantly, don't become obsessed with a particular BPM number.

Speed is useful when you can control it.

A drummer who can play 100 BPM cleanly, consistently, and musically has developed more useful technique than someone who can briefly reach 150 BPM with tension and uneven strokes.

Be patient, practice consistently, and let your speed develop naturally.

Relax. Control the stick. Trust the rebound. Build the tempo one step at a time.

Tags

How To Build Drum Speed, Drum Speed Exercises, How To Play Drums Faster, Increase Drum Speed, Drum Speed Practice, Drum Speed Training, Beginner Drum Speed, Fast Drumming Exercises, Single Stroke Speed, Double Stroke Speed, Paradiddle Speed, Drum Rudiments, Stick Control, Drum Technique, Drum Practice Tips, Speed Bursts, Drum Rebound, Finger Control Drumming, Wrist Technique, Double Bass Speed, Kick Drum Speed, Quiet Drum Practice, Drumstick Dampeners, Beginner Drummer, Drum Accessories, Guitar String Multi-Tool, Guitar String Action Ruler, 15ft Guitar Cable, 20ft Guitar Cable

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